Difference between V8 Engine and ChakraCore

JavaScript is one of the most popular languages for writing code, and it runs on the internet and in web browsers. JavaScript interpreters and compilers are known as JavaScript engines, which run and translate the JavaScript code into machine-understandable form. Currently, the two noticeable JavaScript engines are V8 and ChakraCore. V8 is an engine designed by Google and is used by Chrome and Node.js, the other being ChakraCore, which is developed by Microsoft for Use in Microsoft Edge (Legacy), and Universal Windows Platform (UWP). Although both engines can run JavaScript, there are quite a lot of differences regarding how they are developed, how they perform, and when and where they are used.

What is the V8 Engine?

V8 is an open-source JavaScript and WebAssembly engine with a new runtime for the browser that is developed by Google. It is coded in C++ and is very popular for its fast running and fast computation. It was originally developed to support Google Chrome, and V8 is now the motor of Node.js, for the adoption of ECMAScript for writing JavaScript applications for server-side use.

Key Features of V8 Engine:

Several key features of V8 Engine are as follows:

Just-In-Time (JIT) Compilation:

  • Unlike other JavaScript engines that transpile only the frequently used routines into the native machine code, the V8 JavaScript engine employs the Just-In-Time compilation technique.

Garbage Collection:

  • This has been on an optimized garbage collector working on the memory allocation and deallocating that enhances the fight against memory leaks.

Hidden Classes:

  • V8 has hidden classes to enhance object property access to lessen the high costs of dynamic property access.

Inline Caching:

  • This feature enhances the repetitive use of functions by caching values that are retrieved from property lookup and the result of every call.

WebAssembly Support:

  • Since V8 relies on moving and compacting Garbage Collectors, natively WebAssembly is supported well and developers can easily run code in other languages (C, C++, or Rust) as well as JavaScript.

Example:

Output:

Difference between V8 Engine and ChakraCore

Use Cases:

Several use cases of V8 Engine are as follows:

Web Browsers:

V8 is a JavaScript engine that lies in Google Chrome and is responsible for the quick execution of its functionalities.

Server-Side Applications:

Node.js is a server-side runtime environment that uses V8 to run the JavaScript code on the server side, which allows the building of large-scale and high-performance applications.

Desktop Applications:

V8 is also employed in frameworks such as Electron, which enables developers to create applications that run across multiple platforms by using web-based technologies.

WebAssembly Modules:

It means that using WebAssembly V8 is suitable for high-performance applications - video processing, games, scientific simulations, etc. Some application components are written in C ++ and compiled into WebAssembly in such applications.

What is the ChakraCore?

ChakraCore is an open-source JavaScript engine that is owned by Microsoft. It was the central hub for Microsoft Edge (Legacy) and the Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps. ChakraCore was designed to be a fast-performing web platform that is scalable and targets compliance with relevant standards and platform interoperability.

Key Features:

Several key features of ChakraCore as follows:

Just-In-Time (JIT) Compilation:

  • Similar to V8, ChakraCore also employs the Just-In-Time compilation technique to convert the JavaScript code into the native machine code to enable it to run fast.

Garbage Collection:

  • ChakraCore has an inbuilt garbage collector that deals with memory, hence reducing instances of memory leaks as a problem.

Dynamic Type System:

  • Currently, ChakraCore uses the dynamic type system, which makes it easy and effective to consider all JavaScript dynamic types.

Typed Arrays and SIMD:

  • ChakraCore currently supports Typed Arrays, which are quite important for performance-minded applications and SIMD (Single Instruction Multiple Data).

Edge Compatibility:

  • It is popular and widely used in legacy Microsoft Edge, ChakraCore is optimized to provide compatibility with every web standard to provide a seamless experience for web applications.

Example:

Output:

Difference between V8 Engine and ChakraCore

Use Cases:

Several use cases of ChakraCore are as follows:

Microsoft Edge (Legacy):

  • ChakraCore was applied as one of the foundations of the legacy Microsoft Edge, where it delivered fast and standards-compliant JavaScript.

Universal Windows Platform (UWP) Applications:

  • Originally designed to power JavaScript execution JSquare, ChakraCore helps to create cross-platform apps for Windows devices using UWP applications only.

IoT Devices:

  • ChakraCore also provides fast performance and consumes less memory which could be quite beneficial when it comes to implementing IoT devices.

Cross-Platform Applications:

  • With ChakraCore embedded into it, an application can be delivered across various platforms and is rather suitable for developers who intend to create programs for several platforms at once.

Key differences between V8 engine and ChakraCore:

Difference between V8 Engine and ChakraCore

There are several differences between V8 Engine and ChakraCore. Some main differences are as follows:

FeaturesV8 EngineChakraCore
Primary UsePowers Chrome and Node.js.Powered Microsoft Edge (Legacy), UWP applications.
PerformanceHigh, with aggressive optimizations (e.g., inline caching).Good, but slightly less optimized than V8.
WebAssembly SupportFull and mature support.Supported but less mature.
Ecosystem IntegrationDeep integration with Node.js and the broader JavaScript ecosystem.Strong within Microsoft's ecosystem, less popular outside.
Community and MaintenanceActively maintained and widely supported.Open-source but less actively maintained after Edge's transition.
Future ProspectsStrong, given its widespread adoption.Uncertain, with reduced focus post-Edge transition.